On his application, in response to a prompt that asked where he saw Damascus in 10 years, Fitz wrote, "I expect to see a city similar to the one I see now...A community with one foot in the agricultural aesthetic but with all of the modern services of an urban community..."

For the second position, Spinnett announced he intended to appoint Jim Butler, a retired builder and Damascus resident since 2003. On his application, Butler wrote in response to the prompt asking about his interest in the commission, "To get involved in city development and to keep Damascus a liveable [sic] community."

In response to a question about his perception of a commission member's role in relation to the commission, City Council and staff, Butler wrote, "For the good of Damascus all partys [sic] need to agree on a common ground."

Councilors Mary Wescott, Marlo Dean and Diana Helm raised concerns over the appointment, saying they preferred applicant Matthew Nelson for the position. Nelson, a real estate project manager for the federal Public Building Service in Portland, has lived in Damascus since 2009, which councilors said would provide the Planning Commission a fresh perspective.

As his vision for the future of Damascus, Nelson wrote, "I would like to see the City of Damascus a leader in small communities with responsible development. Catering to business and residents in a friendly atmosphere..."

Les Poole of Oak Grove also addressed the Council, saying he supported a comprehensive plan but believes a potential plan needs to be flexible and said the votes in support of the measure — 78 percent — showed "a lot of pushback against Metro."

"There's no need to disincorporate and take the city from one extreme to another," Poole said.

Resident Keith Marshall spoke in defense of Councilor Helm, the subject of frequent comments by resident Dan Phegley, who was not at Monday's meeting. Helm was issued a $250 campaign-violation fine in 2008 after failing to properly register political action committee Friends of Damascus, which she has said was an unintentional error.

Helm called for an end to repeated attacks based on past events.

"I am sick and utterly tired of this type of attack that happens at nearly every meeting," Helm said, eliciting claps from members of the audience. "You're about to lose a good Council here — people who have stood up for you and stood behind you."